Uber’s app is about to get a serious makeover November 2, 2016 The Uber app is about to get a serious makeover, integrating with other apps such as Snapchat and your calendar to better fit into your life. It will add a shortcut button to rides that you take often, and integrating with your calendar, will suggest a ride to scheduled meetings automatically without having to find the address [...]
Facebook data and privacy rules sink Admiral’s insurtech plans November 2, 2016 Facebook has sunk plans by Admiral to offer a reduced car insurance premium based on users posts on the social network. It turns out the insurance firm has fallen foul of Facebook's terms of use, which stipulate that data from Facebook can't be used for assessing eligibility. That's exactly what Admiral wanted to do, using posts [...]
Your Facebook profile can’t make your car insurance cheaper, It turns out November 2, 2016 Update: Facebook has blocked plans by Admiral to reduce premiums based on profile data – find out more. Beware what you share – your Facebook status could be giving away more than you think. Insurance firm Admiral is plundering the social network for information that could indicate how safe you are as a driver, resulting in a [...]
Elon Musk thinks SolarCity will add $1bn in revenue to Tesla and prove naysayers wrong November 2, 2016 Elon Musk is very keen to get unimpressed investors on side for Tesla's takeover of SolarCity. His plan is to have a Tesla/SolarCity combination creating a seamless experience for customers looking to buy solar panels, home batteries and solar roofs, "Over time, I think most customers are going to opt for all three," he said [...]
17m of us are now part of the sharing economy – but could be uninsured for it November 2, 2016 Nearly a third of Brits are now part of the so-called sharing economy, renting out their homes, cars, and even their dogs, or using these services themselves. Some 17m people across the country participate in the new and growing sector, while one in 10 offer up their services, according to new research by Lloyds Bank Insurance Of [...]
Philip Hammond warns cyber attacks risk plunging UK into darkness as he sets out defence strategy November 1, 2016 Philip Hammond warned cyber attacks could plunge the UK into “darkness” and ground aeroplanes as he set out a new defence strategy today. The chancellor, speaking amid warnings about Russian-backed hacking, also told enemies that Britain would “retaliate in kind” to attacks, describing this as “the best deterrent”. Read more: Hammond to reveal Britain's new [...]
The government wants “flexibility but fairness” for Uber and gig economy workers November 1, 2016 Flexibility as well as fairness must be considered when it comes to workers rights in the wake of the landmark Uber driver employment ruling, the government’s digital minister has said. “Technology is changing employment patterns and it's important we keep up with that and it's important that employers take their employment law responsibilities seriously,” said Matt [...]
The bank referral scheme is one thing – but the government must ensure small firms know what they’re getting into November 1, 2016 When George Osborne announced the bank referral scheme two years ago, he aimed to “bring new lenders much closer to the small businesses they serve.” It was an admirable goal, and one that’s nearer to becoming a reality with today’s launch of the new service to introduce small and medium-sized firms which are rejected for [...]
Here’s how much earthquakes in Japan have cost Sony so far this year November 1, 2016 Fresh from announcing its full-year forecast will be lower than expected yesterday as a result of selling off part of its business, Sony revealed that's not the only struggle in the fight for profit. Earthquakes in Kumamoto, Japan, earlier this year were among the reasons for a 48 per cent fall in operating profit in the second [...]
Antony Jenkins’ fintech startup has revealed its first banking client November 1, 2016 The former boss of Barclays Antony Jenkins has revealed his new fintech startup's first client – and it's a well known name. 10x Future Technologies will build a digital banking platform for Virgin Money, the challenger bank founded by Richard Branson and boasting millions of customers. It will work on creating a digital platform for the bank [...]